5.30.2015

Summer is just beginning

This is my first summer as a teacher. I did it. I survived two months of craziness for the end of the year and now I get to start putting together my own classroom. I have keys and was able to move everything over today.

I'm going to be a real teacher at Suncrest Elementary School this coming school year. We have tons of fantastic things ordered and its going to be so fun to set up and get together. And then at this moment I become terrified. I'm going to be in charge. I'm going to be the one running the show - training everyone - making sure it all goes smoothly and I don't accidentally break the rules of everything that is special education.

I'm officially a grown up.

And... so is Robert.
He got his job offer on Friday and will be doing Custom Web Design at Boostability - working full time on salary.

When did we get so big and old?

When did life turn into this? When did we get so grown up that we have all these responsibilities and yet get to have a say in so much?

The summer is beginning and soon enough I'll be in the classroom setting up each day - trying to change it just how it fits me. Its all mine.

Life is ours!

4.26.2015

She believed she could, so she did.


As of lately, this has been the wallpaper on my phone and become my own personal motivation.

I had so many BIG goals for this year and I'm just checking things off as I go.



I graduated back in December and will be walking this Friday with Rob. I finished school! Rob graduated school! We'll graduate together :) I'm so proud of him - we've put in a lot of work and its going to be weird to not have to worry about it anymore!




I got a teaching job and started teaching. Although I'm just sharing a classroom for now, I'll have my own classroom at Suncrest Elementary in Orem. Although its intimidating I've learned so much already. I can't wait to do things my way in my own classroom.




I completely updated an old rocking chair I got from my aunt. I took it apart, stained it super dark, and reupholstered it. I love how it turned out and will take it to my classroom next year and then use it for when I have babies someday. :)



Also this weekend, I ran a half marathon. This was a huge accomplishment for me. Six months ago I couldn't even run a block - and I went 13.1 miles! I went with my amazing aunts: Angi, Kinna, & Brandi - Brandi's sister Tiffany - Leah - & Sydney joined to watch since she bailed out on me!

It was an amazing experience and although I thought I would never do it again I'm now looking at others nearby to sign up for. I felt so accomplished and was so proud of myself to be able to say I did it.

Early Morning before the race
Immediately after crossing the finish line with Kinna
The group after we all finished!
I just hoped to finish before the 3 1/2 hour cut off... I made it!

3.14.2015

New Adventures

Life has flown by and I feel like I have no control over anything.

Back in January, I thought I might be able to get a teaching position. They had told me there would be one and it ended up falling through. Once I got that news I was a little heartbroken. I didn't even get the shot to try.

But I knew Maggie would be leaving and I would have a full time job taking care of the class. 

Maggie has been gone since the middle of January and had her babies on February 19th. 
I've loved being able to have the experience of what its like to run a classroom without the full responsibility of all lesson plans yet. She's due to come back the beginning of April.

Well a few weeks ago I got an email from the district saying they would have two positions opening up for special education preschool teachers. I had been debating what to do - finally after talking to Rob & a few others I knew I couldn't deny my career. I applied. It was breaking my heart though, knowing I would leave my students without someone who really knew the class.

It took a while for them to call for an interview - so I began to think maybe I was a good enough candidate for right now. They must have had enough certified teachers apply. 

Finally, last Friday afternoon I got a call for an interview. 

Wednesday I was so sick and just wasn't feeling well. I seriously considered calling in (good thing I didn't, since both my para's weren't there!). I knew I could fight through it and just take things easy so I somehow made it through the day.

I went to my interview that afternoon and although I was extremely nervous I just had a feeling of everything was out of my hands. I didn't feel like I really wanted it at that point. I was there walking through the steps but I didn't want to leave my junior high students high and dry before Maggie got back.

I came home and crashed and wasn't able to really even feel anything towards the job. I was just too sick. They had mentioned they were wanting to fill the position ASAP to get someone working. I told them I was willing to leave if I got the job and that I had been warning the school it might come - I needed to take steps to my own career.

Friday, while still at school I got the call. They were "unofficially, but officially" giving me the job. They weren't done doing the paperwork to have me sign but they were 100% sure it was going to work and they wanted me. But, my teacher leader from the junior high requested I not leave until Maggie returns.

Although I am anxious to get started and be a teacher, I was glad and relieved that I would be able to stay for the end of year testing, end of the term, and transitioning at the school. I will stay at Mountain Ridge until April 3rd. I'll have a week off for Spring Break and then I'll start at Sharon Elementary School on April 11th. It still seems surreal but I will be able to sign all the paperwork and make everything official this next week. 

I am a teacher. 
I am going to have a classroom. 

For now, I'll be sharing a classroom and get trained with a teacher who is already in the room. Then next school year I'll get my own classroom at another school in South Orem probably. 

Everything just fell into place. Out of the two positions, I got the one in Orem. I am able to finish up my work with my current students. I will be able to train under a great teacher to get to know everything prior to being out on my own. 

I'm a little nervous still but am so excited to begin my adventures as a special education preschool teacher!!!

1.01.2015

Running Running Running

I was in a really good groove... I ran my race and I was ready to stay on top of it.

Then I lost it. I just keep feeling like I'm too busy and I don't have time.
I need to make time.


So I finally got Rob on my side to help motivate me.
Okay, so I'm a week in. But I've been running or doing weights every day.

My half marathon is 114 days away from today. Ummm... 4 1/2 months seems crazy to go from where I'm at now to being able to run 13.1 miles.

But I'm going to do it.

I want to do it!


I used to not even be able to run 1/4 of a mile. I'm consistently running around 3 miles each day with a long run on the weekends. Of course - a lot of my training has been on the treadmill [or all of it]. So its not quite as realistic but I will use it until its warm enough to head outside.

I never thought I would be able to run 3 miles without stopping! Even letting myself get out of shape and having to get back in hasn't been as bad this time.

Its a lot of work and I don't want to have to go through it again. I'm determined to keep going so that I can finish my half marathon. I just need to make it in under 3 hours.

I probably won't ever do another one again - talk to me after the race.

Rob's words are that its not natural to run even more than one mile and I'm crazy. So I have to motivate him to motivate me to run.

My hope would be that when school starts back up I can wake up just a little bit early to run. I like my sleep though and it hasn't happened yet.